Blog Category Results

On the night of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Monday, January 19, 2009), I drove over a piece of debris on the 10 East while I was passing through Downtown Los Angeles and approaching the East LA interchange.  During my drive to work the next morning, I noticed a white 2005-2007 Subaru Outback 2.5i in the adjacent lane to my right slogging through traffic on the 60 West with me.  A minute or two later, he honked his car's horn to get my attention.  I put the right front window down for him to tell me the right rear tire was flat...

Saturday, January 3, 2009 marked five years of life together with my 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan, a.k.a. Devoted Dan.  After 104,000 miles, it continues to run well and provide smiles per mile.  Below is a brief rundown of our time together. 2004 January 3 - Took delivery from Frank's Irvine Subaru in Lake Forest March - Installed 17-inch Prodrive P1 wheels (made by O.Z...

At this year's Los Angeles International Auto Show, there were some factory-modified vehicles that some brands prominently displayed.  Hear are a few of the atrocities my eyes (and camera) couldn't resist. 2009 Ford Focus Coupe Now, let's compare the Focus above with the 2009 Ford Focus RS hatchback available in Europe. 2009 Toyota Venza The 2009 Toyota Venza is Toyota's all-new wagon/crossover born with an identity crisis.  For the most part, it's basically a Camry Wagon.  On the other hand, it also shares components with the Highlander.  The sad thing is "dubs" (20-inch or larger diameter wheels) come standard on factory stock V6-powered Venzas...

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who reads this! What are you most thankful for? A few weeks ago, I purchased a set of BFGoodrich g-Force Super Sport A/S ultra high performance all-season tires (P215/45R17 91W) from the Tire Rack ($118 each) for my 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan.  On November 15th, I had them mounted, balanced, and installed on my car at Island Tire & Service in Pasadena for a very reasonable rate, although it appears they may have slightly scratched some of my wheels in the process. Why select an all-season tire in (Southern) California?  Or rather, why not?..

On Wednesday, October 22, 2008, Devoted Dan hit 100,000 miles! :o) Since January 3, 2004, he's definitely done a terrific job earning his keep.  I've subjected him to eight track days, on and off road escapades, and the rigors of a daily commute in Southern California. But has he really hit the 100,000-mile mark?  The car came equipped from the factory with Bridgestone Potenza RE92 tires with a size of P205/55R16.  Properly inflated, those tires require 830 revolutions to travel a mile.  Much of the car's street miles, however, have been on Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Position (P215/45R17), Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R (P225/45R17), and Bridgestone Potenza RE92 (P215/45R17) tires...

While I believe every person should be allowed to do what he or she wants to do to his or her automobile, I detest the things people do to bread-and-better family sedans.  As point-A to point-B people-movers, they were not designed with sporting intentions in mind.  What about cars such as the Toyota Camry SE you say?  No!  It's still a Camry!  It's not wrong to own a Camcord or any other typical mid-size family sedan.  I simply believe it's wrong to modify one in such a disgusting way. Current generation Toyota Camry 1998-2002 Honda Accord 2002 Toyota Camry on dubs (20-inch or more wheels for those who aren't with the "lingo") Here's a classic web site pointing out more ridiculous transgressions against the automobile. http://www.riceboypage.com/ What do you all out there think?

Once in a while, I get to combine two or more things I really love. Among the things I enjoy are cartoons, music, Legos, poker, photography, writing, history, movies, trivia, and cars. Every so often some of these things come close enough that I can enjoy two at a time...